Almost every Arsenal fan is talking about Ayyoub Bouaddi after his performance for Morocco against Brazil.
A star is born at every World Cup, and the Lille midfielder could be that player this time around.
Arsenal fans and football supporters in general were in awe of Bouaddi, so much so that everyone wants him at their club for next season.
Fabrizio Romano has now shared an update about the situation.
Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal have made ‘direct contact’ with Ayyoub Bouaddi
Bouaddi has been linked with several top clubs across Europe.
The 18-year-old has been phenomenal in Ligue 1 for over a year now, and he is viewed as one of Lille and French football’s biggest talents.
Arsenal really like Bouaddi and have done so for a while now. They are interested in signing him for their midfield this summer, and it looks like work has begun behind the scenes.
After his remarkable performance for Morocco in their World Cup opener against Brazil, Romano went on his YouTube channel to speak about the teenager.
The journalist claimed that Lille are aware that big clubs will come in for their star talent this summer, and three teams are already in talks with his agent.
One of them is Arsenal.
Romano said: “Lille are, first of all, aware of what’s going to happen next. Lille know very well that top clubs will be coming for Bouaddi because even before the World Cup, some of the biggest clubs in the world started some conversations with his agents.
“I can tell you that between January and now, for sure, he’s been approached by Paris Saint-Germain. PSG love Bouaddi. At the moment, they are not so busy with midfielders on the market. So, that’s a point. But PSG absolutely love Bouaddi, and they’ve been tracking him for a long time.
“Then, we have to mention also that English clubs started having conversations for Bouaddi.
“For example, there were direct contacts with Arsenal and direct contacts also with Liverpool. So, both clubs had meetings with the agents of the player.”
One TalkingPoints user wants Bouaddi at Arsenal, how would YOU feel about this move?
Ayyoub Bouaddi’s stats vs Brazil explain why Arsenal want to sign him
Bouaddi produced a performance to remember against Brazil on Saturday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were the favourites to win the game, but Morocco were fantastic and held them to a 1-1 draw in New Jersey.
In his 90 minutes on the pitch, Bouaddi had 87 touches of the ball and completed 60 of his 66 attempted passes, thus maintaining a 91 per cent passing accuracy.
The teenager was absolutely everywhere and played a massive part without the ball. He registered four tackles, a clearance and six recoveries while also not being dribbled past once in the entire game. (Sofascore)
It is no surprise that Arsenal are trying to sign him, but we expect competition to increase now if he continues to shine at the World Cup.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
